There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: 1 John 4
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. [1 John 4:2-3]
Jesus is the key to God – reject Jesus, and you reject the only way to God.
Those that reject Christ are anti (against) Christ, and there are many anti-christ’s.
The mark of a Christ follower is love, for this is what God in them (the Spirit received through Christ) produces in them.
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. [1 John 4:15]
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. [1 John 4:16]
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” [John 14:5-7]
If we receive Jesus, we receive God.
And God, Who is love, fills us with His love, so that it is evident to those around us.
It all hinges on Jesus.
Know Jesus, know love; no Jesus, no love.
He is truly the only way to life and love and peace and joy.
This exclusivity is what upsets so many people.
How can Jesus say that He is the only true way to life, how can John say that only those that accept Christ are saved?
I can appreciate this concern; I would disagree if a Muslim said Mohammed was the only true prophet, or an atheist told me that only science can tell us what is true.
But I disagree because I think they are wrong – but that does not make them wrong.
Nor does their disagreeing with me make me wrong.
In the end only the truth will be true – we can’t both be right.
Being exclusive is not just a concern for Christians; truth is exclusive, it excludes all that is wrong or false.
And in the end everyone must take a stand for what exclusive truth they will believe.
I choose to believe Jesus’ exclusive truth; time will tell whether it is true or not.
I choose Jesus, I choose the way of Jesus, I choose the love of Jesus!
With His help, I will demonstrate that love, so that the whole world will see and know that He is the way, the truth and the life – the exclusive key to life and love!
PRAYER:
Lord, it not only takes faith to believe this, it takes faith to live this. I need You and Your help to live in Your love. Help me please!
Kids of the kingdom – that’s whose we are. That gives us our identity. That determines our actions. Our Guide is Christ – the living Word and His Word in a word is love. He loved His children enough to send His Son to die for them. We then, His children ought also to love one another. As children, we need to imitate the Father, He has shown the way. He has said – ‘this is the Way. Walk in it!’
Help me this day, Lord to live that love. I must live at peace with my neighbour and I must all I can to achieve that. With Your Spirit to help help and guide me, I can accomplish that this day. Help me along the way to live for Jesus in all I do and say. GodStrong. LoveStrong. LiveStrong. ChristStrong.
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.
Love Him, love Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Love Him, love Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.
Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.